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MG MGB Technical - Short gear stick - anyone done this?

Can anyone givfe any feedback on cutting their gear stick as in:

http://www.mgfcar.de/gear_stick/index.htm

Seems like this is just what I need, but as it's un-reversible I'd like to hear what other people have experienced. How much force is required to change gears, and how much more responsive does everything feel?
A YAP

I use a shorter than standard gearshift lever in both of my cars. I also make my own pear shaped gearshift knobs (turned out of aluminum round stock) and set them up to sit as low as possible on the lever. This results is somewhat less leverage when shifting gears. I have never had a problem with this, nor has my 20 year old daughter. It results is less movement to change gears, but not a great deal. Perhaps a couple of inches of total movement. Here in the US, there are plenty of old MGB gearshift levers available. Very easy to pick up some spares and to make whatever modifications you desire, then try them out to see how well they work. If you do not like it, install the original gearshift lever with the original knob. Les
Les Bengtson

We've done this, but we over did it and had to lengthen the lever with a piece of tubing! I think we cut off about 1.5" when we had it "right".

Sean
Sean Brown

Yes - but but but but....

Shorter shifting movement - ok

But don't you now have to move your hand further from the steering wheel to the gear lever now??


Cheers
Ian F

Ian Fraser

Hi,
I cut the shifter down on my 73 B. I like it better, but thats an individual preference.I had a Triumph TR3A years ago and just loved the feel of shifting gears on that car. TR3s had a very short shifter, maybe 3inches high from the floor, and you could feel the gears engaging in the box as the stick was shifted. A enjoyable aspect of the earlier Triumph TRs ... that mechanical feeling you got when using the cars pedals and shifter. Very unlike my Buick Park Ave Electra. A year or so ago I replaced the pedal return springs,Cleaned up the pedal fulcrums, replaced rubber pads,on my MGB brake and clutch pedals. Bushed the pedal end holes,installed new clevis pins and generally tighened up things having to do with the pedals. Lack of pedal slop and the short throw shifter, make the car real responsive and fun to drive.I use a smaller a Momo Ghibli steering wheel. FWIW Alan
Alan

Done both of mine, great improvement.
Dave.
David Banyard

A PO did it to my shifter. They did a bad job, though. The threads were all bunged up. When I bought the car five years ago, I didn't realize that the shifter was not normal and I bought a replacement from someone on the internet. When I got it, I was shocked at how much longer it was. I drove with it for a couple of weeks and it felt like I was driving a truck.

A found a small welding shop that TIG welded a piece of 3/8" bolt onto the shifter, after I cut the old, messed up threads off. It is now about 1.5" shorter than the normal shifter. This makes the rubber boot come just up to the nut that secures the knob in place.

I love it. I have a center console from a '73 in my '70. With my elbow resting on the console, my hand is comfortably on the shift knob. I can shift from 1st to 2nd, or from 3rd to 4th with just a flick of the wrist. I don't even need to move my hand. Any increase in effort is unnoticeable.

Its not really irreversable. Shift levers are fairly easy to find on eBay and other Internet sources.
Paul Noble

Yup,
did it on my last MGA & loved it. Shortened about an inch as I recall.
D Sjostrom

Me too. Shortened mine about 1 1/2". You can't beat such an easy (and free) improvement. The shifting has a better feel, especially when you replace the missing plastic bushing!
Jeff Schlemmer

To Mr. A. Yap, as you have read, shortening the shift lever on an MGB IS the way to go. Your shift throws are much shorter and therefore quicker. The threads for the shift knob may have to be lengthened as mine did.
Another alteration to the shift lever that I did was to bend it to the left moving the (original)shift knob over by about 2" closer to the steering wheel.This is similiar to the shifter location on a 100 Healey.The result is awesom. The shifter really just 'falls to hand' as is so often said in car magazine road tests.
I use a 19" Brooklands steering wheel so the shift lever ball is "right "there.
I love the set up and am getting real despondent now ,because of our silly season up here in upper oblivion,I cannot get into Neville for at least another 4 months.
Cheers and shivers to all,
Jon
Jon Rosenthall

Yes, I also shorted mine a little before going the whole hog and putting in a V8 (which also has a short gearlever) If I recollect I removed about 1.5 inches, I just cut it off and superglued on the knob. If you were kean you could lengthen the thread first by buying the appropriate button die.
It makes for a much better feel and quicker "fingertip" changeing.
Peter

This thread was discussed between 14/12/2003 and 17/12/2003

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.